Master System Phantasy Star: FM or PSG soundtrack?

xuvetyn96

Paladin Knight
Writers Guild
Level 1
Joined
Dec 13, 2024
Messages
63
Reaction score
172
Points
477
Location
Raccoon City
As I'm sure some of you know, the Sega Master System's Japanese model featured an FM soundchip (the YM2413), while other models had a PSG chip (the SN76489). I've been playing through the original Phantasy Star and I can't decide which one I like more for its soundtrack. The PSG has that great classic, chiptuney retro sound, but I prefer the FM in some places, like the intro (here's the PSG version to compare). So for those who have played this game, what is your favorite way to hear the soundtrack, and, more importantly, why?

EDIT: to add on, I definitely like the PSG battle theme way, way more than the FM one.
 
I like them both, but if i was pushed FM, there is just something nicer sounding about it. Brings me back to when i was a weee wee nipper.
 
I only played Phantasy Star with the PSG sound. Looking at the videos, I prefer the PSG one. When I emulated Wonder Boy III for the first time on Retroarch, FM audio was default. I was trying to figure out why everything sounded so weird compared to what I remembered. It's probably nostalgia bias but I don't like the way FM sounds.
Wonder Boy III PSG
Wonder Boy III FM
 
I think I would go PSG solely because it's what sounds more familiar to me. Had it been the other way around, I'm guessing my preference would too.
That's likely the reason I prefer it too. Some FM soundtracks are so radically different that my brain doesn't process it. Take Kenseiden for example, one of my childhood favorites, give it a listen:

 
That's likely the reason I prefer it too. Some FM soundtracks are so radically different that my brain doesn't process it. Take Kenseiden for example, one of my childhood favorites, give it a listen:
Exactly. I remember the first time I heard the FM for Outrun, thinking that it's definitely good, but once your brain is married to a certain sound with a certain game, it's hard to deviate from that.
 
PSG by a wiiiiide margin for this one. Opening has a slight Phantasy Star 2 vibe in the FM version (in the vein of Prologue, Power, etc.) which makes sense, but otherwise the overload of quiet sine waves where robust PSG sounds should be comes across to me like a page Xeroxed ten times over.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Connect with us

Featured Video

Phantasy Star Nova (VITA) Translation

Latest Threads

Do You Consider Video Games Art?

There have been some critics of the idea that video games can be considered art (e.g. Roger...
Read more

Drawn in 2024

1000123018.jpg
Read more

GOG, Resonant Arc, and the Mysterious vanishings of the founders of Quintet

SO recently today one of my fav podcasts headed up by Casen and Mike began their dive into...
Read more

Your Favorite Video Game Feet.

In this thread post your favorite video game feet. I personally am torn between these 3.

Sora...
Read more

What video game character would you ask on a date?

I'd ask Sans!
1743629805846.jpeg

- The dude really tickles my funny bone.
- A bone-afide kind soul who...
Read more

Online statistics

Members online
264
Guests online
271
Total visitors
535

Forum statistics

Threads
6,124
Messages
155,519
Members
390,477
Latest member
farerudesu

Support us

Back
Top